tbfotos-my blog

tbfotos...my blog

03-07-2010

Birthday Celebrations for Tyler and Jack!

♪♪ Happy Birthday to Tyler and Jack!! ♪♪ We had a great spaghetti dinner with salad and garlic bread. Everyone was in heaven, especially the birthday boys! Jack turned 4 and Tyler will be 9. Then we had cake and ice cream; then the presents came out. I think both birthday boys had a great time opening their gifts. I am not sure about Jack, but Tyler sure made out in the great gift department. It was like Christmas all over again. What a lucky boy! Star Wars characters, a few PS3 games and a movie were some of the gifts I remember. We had a fun family dinner! Below are a few pictures of cake! It was yummy!!

It was chocolate cake with a creamy filling....oh so good!

Jack & Tyler (the birthday cousins)

We're in contract to sell...

Someone made an offer on the house in Chandler...which was really fast. We were under the impression it would take 6 months to sell the house...the offer came in 4 weeks. So now we wait to see if everything passes inspection. I am really going to miss this one...this was probably my most favorite home we've owned...and fix up. I think the buyer is getting a great house!

03-06-2010

A day for pizza...

We went to Chuck E Cheese today to celebrate Tyler's birthday...he had a blast! It was a lot of fun!!

Chuck E Cheese with the birthday boy!

Dad and Tyler play Aliens!

Tyler opening his birthday card

and his two favorite Star Wars figures!

Then he finally got some toys from the counter after loading up on tickets!

It was a fun day!

Otto is on the mend...

Otto is back to being Otto-bot! He is waiting for his Frisbee! Funny dog!

My baby is going to be 9...

Tyler is going to be 9 on Wednesday...it seems like yesterday that I was bringing my beautiful baby boy home from the hospital. Where does the time go?

03-05-2010

Otto had surgery...

Otto is home now...lethargic and shivering, very unlike himself. He is my hyper one...usually that is. He got fixed today...no puppies for Otto. We are doing our part to curb the pet population. He sure seems skinny though...he hasn't eaten anything today, and for an already skinny dog, he is bare bones right now. He looks anorexic. I have offered him cheese, a slice of ham and even boiled chicken...he has turned his nose up to it all. What ever meds they used for the surgery are certainly taking their time wearing off. I sure hope he is back to normal tomorrow...I miss my Otto-bot! One funny thing happened today. I was suppose to pick him up from the vet at 1:30pm. They called at 11:15am saying he did well during surgery and is very vocal about letting them know he doesn't like it there...could I please come get him. LOL. Otto has never been shy about speaking his mind! He is one funny dude, even under the influence an anesthesia.

Here is Otto laying next to my chair all bundled up so he is warm. He hates the lamp shade!

03-04-2010

Big Test today...

OMG...our first real exam in Math is today. My fingers are crossed and my brain is engaged! I have been studying for this thing for 2 days...I can't tell you how much sleep I will never recover...ugh!

03-01-2010

A new tooth...

Tyler has a new tooth coming in...it looks painful.

He is such a beautiful child...even if that tooth isn't so gorgeous!

02-26-2010

We made it!

It's the weekend...yeah!! With so much going on during the week now, I live for weekends!! It is suppose to rain all weekend (nuts) so it might be a movie weekend. I sure hope there is something good playing. I think the last one we saw that was really good was "A Princess and The Frog." ☻

02-25-2010

I got an...

A on my test...Yahooooooooooo!! I have a feeling the crown I am having put on my tooth today is going to hurt more than taking that test! Yikes!

02-24-2010

Math Quiz #2...

You got it...I am hoping for the best, but the anticipation is killing me! I hope I did better on this one than the last one...we find out tomorrow. ugh!

02-22-2010

A busy week ahead...

Between school, homework, swim lessons and working out, this week is bound to fly by. I have a temporary crown on a molar right now that will be traded in for the permanent crown this week. I will be happy when that is completed. I prefer white in my mouth compared to silver...it looks odd when smiling.

02-21-2010

♫ We celebrated a birthday tonight...

♪ Happy Birthday to Valerie (real birthday Feb 14th)! ♪ We had a wonderful dinner and a nice party for Valerie. The kids all had fun too...they got involved in a program on the Science Channel about underwater life. It was so good and they really got a lot out of the program. It was about whales. Who would have thought an educational program on whales would keep an 8 year old, a 4 year old and 2 year old so occupied for so long? We just have exceptionally smart children! :) It was a fun evening!

02-20-2010

A new do...

I got my haircut today...back to a wedge. I was trying to let it grow out, but I just don't have the patience or the face for long hair. I love my wedge...it is so easy to take care of and fits my face well. I am also finally getting over this head cold I have had for a few days. Man, I think I have gone through 5 boxes of Kleenex. My nose is so sore...fire red with peeling skin...a really lovely sight. I will be happy when things are back to normal...and I am hoping its sooner rather than later!

02-19-2010

What a week...

Tyler was out of school for his winter break, but my classes were scheduled for the week. Scott was able to change his schedule at work so he could be with Tyler in the morning while I went to school. It was a short week for him at work...which helps. Monday was a holiday for all of us...and he took Friday off. I think Tyler loved spending the week with Scott. In the afternoons, Tyler and I went to the YMCA. He started swimming lessons this week. He has 3 other kids in the class, so there is lots of individual attention...which is great. He is doing really well. But then how could he not, both Scott and I are swimmers...its in his genes!

02-18-2010

The anticipation is killing me...

We had our first math quiz yesterday...I think I got them all, although the irrational numbers throw me off sometimes. I hope I did as well as I think I did...we find out today, hopefully! My fingers are crossed!!

We got our quiz back...

Man oh man, I missed 2 questions...1 easy one (it was so simple I almost died I got it wrong) and the other one was hard. But I will never get these two wrong on another test! I still have an A in the class, but only by 3 percentage points. The only thing saving me is that I've done all the homework and warm ups...so I have all of those possible points...and my math lab hours. I've just got to ace the next one!

02-17-2010

Happy Birthday Sal!

The big 44! We hope you have a really wonderful day!

02-16-2010

A Somber Day...

On a sad note, Aunt Sophie died today. I keep thinking she is a peace now...her breathing was so labored last I saw her and her organs were shutting down. I know she feels no pain. It is just sad to see life end.

A poem for Aunt Sophie...

A thousand times you were needed.
A thousand times you made us smile.
If love alone could save you,
you never would die.
A heart of gold stops,
two twinkling eyes close to rest.
Never a day goes by that you’re not in our hearts.

02-14-2010

♥ Happy Valentines Day! ♥

I've got the two best guys in the world! Today was a great day!

02-13-2010

Such a hard day....

Today we drove up to Folsom to say good bye to a dear sweet Aunt. It was her birthday...Aunt Sophie turned 84. We sang to her in her hospital bed and she smiled. It was so sweet, but so sad too. It is so hard saying good bye.

02-12-2010

☺ OMG...My baby is growing up! ☺

Tyler did so well today at the assembly. Got right up there and said his poem. I was so proud of him! He was so excited when everyone clapped and shouted hooray...he even took a bow...it was so cute! He is certainly a blessing!

These were the third grade winners...1st through 4th place. They did such a good job!

02-11-2010

One more day...

Tomorrow is a big day for us...Scott has the day off so we can go to Tyler's school assembly where he will read his winning poem. He is all psyched! This week at school for me was very busy but productive. I got all the points possible in my English class on a paper we had to write about ourselves. YEAH! Also I got all my homework done for math (which is a miracle in itself) and earned all the possible points for the problems too! Yahoo!!!! I am so excited that this is a 3 day weekend! :)

02-09-2010

Our Arizona house is for sale...

We sure did a lot to this house...and it was fun fixing it up. New roof, new cooler and air conditioner, new wall around the backyard, painted it inside and out, new windows and patio doors, a new front door with a really cool finger print battery operated lock, new carpet throughout the house, updated the master bathroom with tile, new sink and faucets, painted both walk in closets in the bedrooms, put in new tress in the backyard and one in the front yard, had the pool re grouted and new deck put in, new pool motor and filter, automatic water filler in the pool, new pool fence in the backyard and updated all the sprinklers in the backyard. It took 2 years to complete it...and this is the best job we ever did on a house...I was really proud of it. I hope the new owners will love the house as much as we did. We have a lot of fun memories here...it is a great party house and it's in a fantastic neighborhood. Our neighbors were the best. We all really looked out for each other and could count on them for any kind of help.

02-06-2010

New Shoes for all of us...

We went to REI to pick up the sandals I ordered for Tyler and we all ended up getting new shoes. We got gonga deals today. I found a really cute pair of Merrell shoes (I love Merrell and Keen brands especially) for $20, Scott found a $125 pair of Garmont shoes for $19 and then we got Tyler some Teva's. I couldn't believe we walked out of the store with about $250 in shoes and paid less than $60...we did good!! I love deals like this!!

My new Merrell's!

Scott's new Garmont shoes!

Tyler's new Teva's!

02-04-2010 pm

UPDATE!!

He won, he won!! Tyler will be reciting his poem at the school assembly on Friday. He is certainly full of wonderful surprises!! Scott and I are so proud of Tyler!!

02-04-2010

What a week!

School is back in session for me. I started yesterday and already have 2 hours of math homework. Wow!! I got it done though...I am bound and determined to get straight A's this semester! I was so proud of Tyler yesterday. This kid is amazing. His school had a poetry contest in each of their classes. He was one of the finalist in his third grade class. The top 3 went on to compete against all the other kids in their grade. Yesterday was the competition. Now they will pick one winner per grade. I really don't care if he wins, I was so proud of him for trying and doing his best. This is the kid who has had speech therapy his whole little life because he couldn't pronounce his letters correctly...now he is speaking in public and winning speech contests. Who would have thought that would happen...certainly not me! Today we find out who wins...I am a little nervous for him. I think he may be upset if he doesn't get selected...but I keep trying to teach him that winning isn't everything...its how you play the game. It is such a hard lesson to learn!

01-24-2010

A busy day

Tyler and I joined the YMCA in Morgan Hill again. I've really missed that place. They offer Zumba now...I am so excited. Between Shallow Tone (water aerobics) and Zumba...I will be doing great in the exercising department. Tyler is going to take swim lessons starting in February...he is very excited about that! Today while I swam laps, Tyler went to Kid Zone and had a blast! I am so glad they have a cool place for him to play and have fun while I work out. It's a nice benefit! Then we came home...and Otto wanted to play Frisbee. He loves to play...I got some pretty funny photos of him today. First one is waiting for the throw, the second is bringing it back and the third is dropping it on my lap. He has learned a few tricks...and commands. He is a smart boy...and funny too!

01-23-2010

Maggie got a hair cut...

She is so cute!!

01-21-2010

What a week...

I finally got my schedule straight at school...the counselors are wonderful! I am really looking forward to starting classes...although my schedule is up to 13 units. It is going to be a busy semester for us...but well worth the work. Now I just have to save up for all the books...man those are expensive!

01-16-2010

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you! I hope you had a really great day and party...wish I could have been there!

01-13-2010

Having some fun...

I got some great shots today of Tyler and some sites on campus. We had a fun day!

01-12-2010

It arrived...

One of Scott's birthday presents arrived in the mail today! He is going to be so excited!

01-11-2010

Doggie Door...

I changed the doggie door...what an ordeal! First I took it apart then put it back together backwards. Otto ran through it and knocked the door flap down...oh man...I had to fix it or else cold air would be coming through all day until Scott got home. But after playing with it and the electric screw driver for a bit...I finally nailed it! Well, I got it all screwed together...not really nailed. I am beginning to think I am really not that mechanically inclined...more like mechanically declined! I hope it stays up the rest of the day...at least till Scott gets home to make sure its secure!

Before (note the holes Otto chewed out of the old flap)...

and after...

I need to get some of that thumb sucking agent to spray on the flap so he will leave it alone!

01-10-2010

A Birthday Celebration!

We celebrated Scott's & Glenn's birthday last night. It was a fun dinner. For dessert, we had a Baskin Robins ice cream cake...it was yummy. The little ones loved helping blow out the candles. I wished I had a picture to share with you, but I had two little ones on my lap so they could be close to the cake. They were all so cute. Those cousins had the candles blown out before Scott & Glenn could take in a breath to blow them...I laughed so hard. I think the birthday boys were caught off guard. You snooze, you loose! Scott got some nice things...i tune gift cards, apps gift card for his i touch, money and a nail gun (he is putting down a hard wood floor throughout our home).

01-09-2010

A Busy Day...

Tyler and I took Maggie & Charlie up to get their shots...that was a stressful event. First getting just the two of them in the car was a project. I bribed Lily & Otto with food to get them in the backyard and quickly locked the doggie door so they would be out while we got Maggie & Charlie in the car. So that part is finally done. The house is locked and we are ready to go...when around the corner runs Otto with the neighbors dog. Otto jumped over our backyard fence. They are having a ball (their dog is a puppy too, a german sheppard mix) chasing each other and running about 50 mph around the 5 acre lot we live in. Our neighbor came out to help me get the two pups to stop running...finally I was able to get Otto in the house (another bribe with food). This time I had to lock Lily & Otto in the house (no doggie door access to outside). So now we are in the car, headed out for shots. We get there and get our shots no problem. Maggie is a good shot taker...Charlie is a little more open about her feelings with shots...she doesn't like them! We finally get home and the girls are anxious to get inside the house. Tyler and I went to get their license at the Animal Control Center (yes, even dogs in the county have to have licenses now). After that we went to see a movie..."The Princess & the Frog." Man that was such a great movie...we both loved it. We laughed so hard...now I can't wait for that one to come out on DVD. Then we went to Costco to get a game for Tyler. He picked a new one with Mario and Luigi, "Bowser's Inside Story." This was the reward he picked for such a good report card. He played that game all afternoon, laughing so hard about the character situations in the game. Then after dinner we all watched Ratatouille on cable. That was such a cute movie too. We had a good time.

01-08-2010

Wow....a great report card!

Tyler brought home a great report card...E's, S+ and S's. I am so proud of him...he is one smart dude! He gets to pick an extra activity this weekend for a special treat.

01-06-2010

A interesting item in the fridge...

We read an article today about people and their fridge...it reveals quite a bit. Below is my favorite picture...holey toledo!!

Then I started thinking what our fridge looks like compared to the ones in the article...I think we are pretty normal for a family of 3.

You can read the entire article here: http://www.good.is/post/picture-show-you-are-what-you-eat/

01-04-2010

The Tooth Fairy arrived...

Tyler was so excited...guess who wants to go get a toy after school today?!

01-03-2010

Tyler lost a tooth...

Now we wait for the tooth fairy!

Kitchen light...

It's finally up...and it works!!

Tyler held up Scott while Scott put up the light! :)

01-02-2010

A Healthy Year...

I was reading an article by Dr. Oz this morning and thought you might enjoy it too. It gives good advice on how to be healthy and to expect failure, but also what to do when you hit the bump in the road. Here is the article:

"Here are the five most important things a person can do to undo holiday damage:

#1 Start walking today.

#2 Tell people. Go public about your goals and get enablers who reinforce your bad habits out of the way.

#3 Sleep. If you sleep the 7 hours you’re supposed to, you won’t crave carbs as much.

#4 Trick your body. Fool yourself when you’re hungry by drinking water instead or eating or eating simple things like mints that "blow out your taste buds." It works.

#5 Automate your life. Eat the same healthy option for breakfast. Bring a healthy lunch to work every day. Keep snacks like nuts in your pockets, your desk, anywhere that’s in easy reach, so you will never feel hungry. That, he says, is the real key to weight loss.

There are certain “power” foods that we should all be eating more of. Foods that “come out of the ground looking exactly the way they look when we eat them,” he notes. These include antioxidant-rich vegetables, blueberries, apples, whole grains with lots of fiber and spicy foods!
*An interesting tip: if you eat spicy foods for breakfast, you won’t eat as much at lunch.

There are also food we should start avoiding like the plague: trans fats (processed foods have lots) and saturated fats and anything with high-fructose corn syrup, especially soda. When you drink soda, he explains, it actually makes you hungrier and you end up eating more calories.

Muscle-building exercise is also key to undoing damage, as muscles burn calories even between workouts. This is even more important for women, says Dr. Oz, because we generally have less muscle mass than men.

One other important thing to keep in mind— expect to fail. The main reason we fall off the rails this time of year, he says, is because we think we have to be perfect which, of course, is impossible. If we slip up, we should simply do as our GPS tell us when we miss a street, “make the first authorized U-turn” and get back with the program."

Complete article can be read here: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/the-thread/undoing-holiday-damage-with-dr-oz-558499

01-01-2010

Riverdance

We saw a live musical at the San Jose Performing Arts Center tonight...boy was it good. We all loved it...especially Tyler!

Just having some fun...

Scott with Otto playing fetch

Our little retriever

I dare you to take it....

...oh man, he got it!

Happy New Year!

Wow, 2010 already! As I reflect on 2009, there were a few things that did not go so well, and other things that went great. I hope the lessons learned last year will help to make this year a positive experience...after all, isn't life about growth and how we accomplish our goals? I want the ride to be as smooth as possible!

My resolution is to exercise everyday. Good luck with your resolution!

I read an article about "How to keep your New Year's Resolutions: Advice from the Experts." I think I might be in trouble...here is number 5:

"5. Get Better Friends

Consciously and unconsciously, people tend to imitate those around them. That's why the latest research shows that things like happiness, quitting smoking and obesity can spread like a contagion through social networks. So, surround yourself with friends who can also be role models. "Make sure that people you hang out with are people who look and act the way you would like to. Social imitation is the easiest form not only of flattery but of self-improvement," says Stanton Peele, author of Seven Tools to Beat Addiction. (Read "In Old Age, Friends Can Keep You Young. Really.")

Social support is critical to changing all kinds of behavior. Good friends can not only help you through slip-ups, but they can also help keep your New Year's resolution from taking over your life. Rather than obsessing about what you shouldn't be doing, think about things you should, experts say. The distraction will help you curb bad habits. "Focus on your higher goals and positive activities, things that both sustain you and fill your life," says Peele. If you regularly engage in meaningful activities that give you pleasure - whether it's visiting friends, picking up a hobby, taking a class or doing volunteer work (one of the most overlooked sources of personal joy and meaning is helping others) - you'll simply have less time to crave or engage in the behavior that you want to reduce."

I may need to find some new friends! :)